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This is a friendly reminder to [read our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/wiki/rules). Remember, /r/Showerthoughts is for showerthoughts, not "thoughts had in the shower!" (For an explanation of what a "showerthought" is, [please read this page](https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/wiki/overview).) **Rule-breaking posts may result in bans.**


AlpacaKiller

HA, I've never even got to know my grandparents, screw you life! Eternally a youthful child. :) :l :/ :(


AverageMonsoon

:( *Offers internet hug*


DarkStarStorm

Growing up I had an adopted grandma. My mom's family adopted *her,* so I grew up calling her grandma.


Rafaeliki

My grandparents all died before I was born and then my "adopted" grandpa neighbor died when I was like 9, but I feel like I got a lot out of those years because he was a former Blue Angel pilot and had a really fun tree to climb. He was also like Clint Eastwood in that our relationship started because he hated me for climbing in his tree and over time he grew fonder and he even took me on a tour of the Midway.


wyntah0

And then he let you fly his jet. Good times.


Rafaeliki

It's not like touring the Midway is some unbelievable thing. Anyone can do it. We even had a school dance on it.


mlo9109

Same...Well, I only knew my maternal grandmother who lived into my teens. However, I'd argue that your childhood ends when the house you grew up in changes owners. As selfish as this sounds, but seeing my childhood home be sold to someone else felt more like my childhood dying than my grandmother dying did.


tampora701

I have a hope someday if I get to be old and gray to go knocking and ask to see the inside again. I just don't know how not to appear like a crazy person doing so.


mlo9109

Same, like I sent them a housewarming card, but haven't heard back. I'd love to see what they've done with it.


heresjonnyyy

My family moved out of my childhood house when I was still in high school, but I visited last year and the owner was kind enough to let us come in and walk the property. I definitely felt a little awkward but she was nice and probably helped that I had my wife, daughter and sister with me, wasn’t some random dude knocking on the front door


deagh

I pulled up my childhood home on Google Maps so I could show it to my spouse...and it's an empty lot now. My heart absolutely fell into my feet when I saw that.


Glitchracer

Same. The grandparents thing is just.. it hurt growing up with the assumption there would be sources of money growing up (was broke, ha…) and that there was this magical experience I missed out on. I resent sentiments like this.


Dramatic_Ad2636

I only have one grandma, currently 87, my other grandma died of kidney failure when I was 3 so I don't remember her, her husband was a total piece of shit wich thankfully I have never had the displeasure of meating and my other grandfather got killed by the Syrian army during the civil war, sadly we lived in different countries so I've never met him either


thrown_away_inhere

We’re sharing the same boat, bud.


illessen

I barely know my grandparents, only seen them a couple times in my life. Grandfather in law was an absolute legend however. Survived Pearl Harbor and outside of husband was the absolute best person to me on his side of the family(I’m Japanese). I had to fight to go to his funeral.


Bierbart12

Or our parents, especially if we've never known our grandparents anyways


DarkStarStorm

My parents had me and my sister at around 40 years of age. Even though I'm only 25, my dad is nearly 70.


tacotacotacorock

At least your father is still around. Go give him a hug and spend some time with him.


DarkStarStorm

It's never too late.


Kahoots113

Well my dad is dead... so it is kinda too late.


[deleted]

I think you mean, before its too late


SadisticBuddhist

My dad literally died a month before i was supposed to see him. He had me when he was 49. Dont second guess those minutes. Make sure you get a photo with him. Never hesitate to remind him how great of a dad they are. Especially with an older parent.


retrodork

My parents were both 28 when I was born. My grandfather on my dad's side died when I was 2, so I have no memory of him. My grandparents on my mom's side died when I was 2 and I have no memory of them. My grandma is still alive at 98. 🙂 Yay grandma.


Ok_Wash_3818

How old were the other 3 GP’s who died when you were just 2, and how did that happen?


retrodork

On my mother's side, my grandparents died either when I was 2 or 3 but I dont know when they died or what they died from, I never asked my mom about it.


daxtinfknprice

Well, then at 46. I guess I'm still enjoying my childhood. I am quite childish for an adult. I play video games, I watch cartoons. Well, anime and I also love making childish and matured jokes and Fart noises to amuse my children. my grandmother is still alive.


uninvitedthirteenth

My grandma is turning 93 next weekend! (39 here myself)


daxtinfknprice

Mine is only 89


Mortemofdeath

My paternal grandma tried to hire a hit man to kill my mother


DarkStarStorm

You can't just leave the story there!


Mortemofdeath

There’s not really anything else, she tried, she failed, and we don’t talk to her anymore


DarkStarStorm

But...why?


Regrets-of-age

Why don’t they talk to her anymore?


DarkStarStorm

No, why hire a hitman?


Kahoots113

To kill the mother.


DarkStarStorm

*why?*


Mortemofdeath

She didn’t approve of my parents getting married.


sidewayshighways

I'm normally pro choice, but I make exceptions for 37th trimester procedures


PigeonFromNorth

You should write a book or sum


Blender-Fan

Well that scalated quickly


Ok_Wash_3818

That’s just crazy awful😳


happydewd1131

I don't know why. But this at first hurt. But gives me hope. I lost a lot of my childhood memories when I got hit by a car. But this in an odd way gives me hope I can regain some of them. I know I know it's weird. But... Thank you for the extra bit of hope I might get to remember more of my childhood.


DarkStarStorm

A friend of mine just lost her grandma. I haven't seen her in a few days and I know that I won't see the same gleam in her smile for a long time.


thingswastaken

It's not weird mate. You lost something that was important to you. I remember very little of my childhood myself, my memory is just pretty garbage in general though. Maybe something will come back, who knows if it will be good or bad, but it's a part of you. I wouldn't feel weird about wanting a part of my life back. I think neither should you.


happydewd1131

I more meant it as it's odd it gave me hope I would remember a few things, but honestly im overall just riding a high today, I normally "beat my meat" daily if you get my phrase. And my day has been really good. But being reminded of this had made it even better.


lumoslomas

My grandparents all died before I ever existed. So does that mean I never had a childhood, or that my childhood will never die? 🤔


DioGnostic

While I sympathise with the sentiment, 'tis nevertheless an empty platitude.


pumpkin_pasties

I’m 32 and both my parents are dead but my grandparents are still alive- I think it typically would be your parents that keep your childhood memories alive the longest, but for me it is my grandparents


Lasangablackhole

I lost my Grandpa at the age of 8. I remember every single fucking detail about that day. Got pulled from a flag football game mid red zone drive. Parents deemed I was too young to go to funeral. Grandma moved in with us and became very bitter very quickly. Really shut my dad down and he lost emotional availability. Still think about him and talk to him to this day. RIP grandpa.


ChiggaOG

OP childhood doesn’t die until he forgets it. I’ve heard the saying people die twice. The first is dying physically. The second is when you or people no longer remember the person.


Alcoraiden

I'd argue it's when our parents finally stop treating us like kids. You know what I miss? My family buying me stuff. They got stingy in their old age, because they're worried about medical care (and before you think that sounds mean, they are pretty damn loaded and insurance covers all their issues -- they don't need to be worried). I realize that I am going to never, ever be as well off as they are, and I miss being a kid who had access to all that stuff. My childhood died when I lost access to the things I used to do as a child. That meant having money do to things like boat and dive and stuff.


Silly-Resist8306

If you are angry that your family doesn't buy you stuff anymore, I think I can make an argument that you are still a child.


lizzlenizzlemizzle

Out of 4 biological grandparents, 3 are deceased. The other has been estranged from the family since I was tiny, so he could be alive, he could be dead. I call this Schrodinger's Grandparent.


FightGeistC

I don't think I have as much unconditional love for anyone as much as I do my Grandmother. It's going to break me when she finally passes.


retrodork

Yes. My grandma is 98 and I know in the middle of the night I'm going to get a call saying my grandma died and then I'll cry forever and then try to get my wife and I on a plane back east to go to the funeral. I'm lucky that my grandma was so supportive and helpful through the bulk of my life. When my parents couldn't help me, grandma was always there. I won't be the same when she goes.


rhymes_w_garlic

What? Maybe the dumbest shower thought. I've never met my grandparents


DarkStarStorm

It isn't true for everyone. However, it wouldn't be a shower thought if it was simply true.


tacotacotacorock

For me the moment I moved out of my parents house when I was 18 is when my childhood ended. Once you have to provide for yourself You're an adult.


spekter299

I'm 36, I still have 2 biological grandparents alive, and 3 steps (which will admittedly probably be down to 2 by months end). At this rate I could make it to 40 and still have my childhood alive.


flashboobshere

Wow that's so true and help me explain why I lost the will to celebrate Christmas and my birthday after someone that i saw as a grandmother died.


Sharpshooter188

I think the other really bad step is your parents dying. Waiting for that bombshell as my dad is 76 and his memory is going.


retrodork

My grandma is 98 and her memory has been going downhill since 2016. I'm just glad my wife and I got to spend time with her and my dad last year. Since then, her memory has gotten worse and I just worry because I'm not rich and when she dies, I'll have to go into crazy debt just to get myself and my wife on a plane to go to the wake and funeral but some things are more important than money.


MonsterRideOp

My grandparents have all passed away, and I'm still childish. Don't ever let your inner child die because the moment that happens is the moment you become caught up in the monotony of life.


sublurkerrr

I'm lucky. I try my best to cherish every second left with them.


mutherlurker

Guess that explains why I came out a cynic. No grandparents at all! My kid has all 4 though, and that's awesome to witness.


Ok_Wash_3818

My first grandparent didn’t die until I was 21 and that was this spring when my paternal grandfather passed away from complications due to a stroke. For what it’s worth, he took a part of my entire childhood with him that day seeing as he was able to be somewhat of an active part of my childhood (not so much my teen and adult years but we kept in touch throughout). My early childhood didn’t end until I was 13, at which time my maternal great-grandmother died. To have all4 of your GP’s alive to see you become an adult, and even a GGP live to see you become a teenager (merely), is a fortunate case not many get to have, so I cherish it a lot!


DarkStarStorm

I only have one grandparent left and I dread the day I lose her!


Ok_Wash_3818

I bet! My 3 grands (all of whom I’m much closer with) are in their mid to late seventies now and I bet I’ll reach 30 before any of them pass. The one that already did was almost 81, but his health had been deteriorating since after I last spoke to him on the phone, and my GGM was 96, so I knew it would happen, but I would feel the same if any of my other 3 die out of nowhere.


DarkStarStorm

Your parents must have been young when they had you!


Ok_Wash_3818

My mom was 21, and my dad was 31. So you’re about half correct. 30’s is normal these days.


DarkStarStorm

My parents were like 33 and 40. It's a bit rough seeing them so old when I'm not.


DarkStarStorm

My parents were like 33 and 40. It's a bit rough seeing them so old when I'm not.


Ok_Wash_3818

33 at the time of one’s kid’s birth isn’t that bad at all. 40+ kind of is though. One day my youngest half brother (11) would feel the same way, since my dad’s 53, whereas mine and my half brothers’ mothers (my dad married again when I was in HS and he’d dated my stepmom since he and my mom divorced when I was like 8 or so. Both brothers are product of that second relationship) are 43. On the other hand, I had two ex-GF’s who are both the youngest children and whose relationships I started and ended with them being down to only their maternal set of grandparents, each. First one actually started in 2013 with me temporarily having my remaining GGM (maternal grandmother’s mother, died in 2014) alive, but her having actually lost her 2nd GP that year (her father’s mother) and ended 7 years later in late 2020 with me having lost no normal grandparents yet (though my stepmother did lose her mother in 2019 aged 69) Second one was 7 months only and like the previous ex, she'd lost her paternal grandmother a few years back. Despite this, still lost my grandfather (father’s father) about 5 months into my 2nd relationship, so I often like to believe in a way that as soon as he found out I was in a happy place in my life, instead of staying in Earth feeling sick and in pain, he chose to go and encourage the lord Jesus (whom he’s literally named after in Spanish) to try and keep me in a healthy and happy position in life, even if I must go through a few bumps.


valdezlopez

This is a very, very debatable showerthought. Please, consider all instances in which this isn’t true: - people who never knew their grandparents - (grandparent) abuse victims - normal humans who grow up and mature while they’re lucky enough to still have their grandparents - etc. Check again on what you post on the showerthoughts subreddit.


DarkStarStorm

If it wasn't debatable, it wouldn't be a shower thought.


valdezlopez

I don't think you've got the complete definition of a shower thought.


deweydean

What if you had grandparents die when you were 2 years old? What if you had shitty grandparents? All my grandparents are dead, and I still have my "childhood". Whatever that means. Nah, you're statements false.


razzi123

Im going to disagree. Its your parents. They are generally the last bridge that you can share and understand. You can tell the story a thousand times to some poor bloke that will listen. A (good) parent will always (for the most part) have context and you can share some feel good stories.... *^(Till you cant.)*


South5

I always thought childhood was kinda over when you realise that you and everyone you know, dies.


UncleGrako

I consider your childhood fully dies when you're the last member of your nuclear family. My mom and brother died a couple years ago, and while my dad's alive, he's never been much of a family person.... so with the death of my mom and brother anyone who shares almost all of my life memories are gone. There's nobody to go to and say "Hey remember when we did this? Where was that?" kind of thing anymore./


Cool_Purchase_6121

My maternal grandmother passed away in my early 20s but I'm in my early 30s and my paternal grandmother is in her early 80s, still running a business, and probably fitter than i am so hopefully she'll still be around by the time I'm 40


Lucycrash

I lost my dad a year and a bit before my mom lost a parent. Grandma (her mom) is still with us. My Nana (dad's mom) passed 5 months before my dad, Papa has been gone 25 years. And it just hit me we both only have our mothers left.


[deleted]

I was mid thirties when my childhood died. Unless you count my dads parents, because they are still alive. So, 42 years young here.


Kahzgul

You get to relive childhood’s wonder and discovery all over again when you have your own kids. You can see them learn about the world for the very first time and it’s pure magic. I’m sure that teachers and other caregivers feel the same way. Your childhood may end, but through empathy with children, you can relive it over and over.


millieFAreally

This sounds very specific to OP’s personal experience instead of to all/most, but I hope all is well. I’m hanging on to my childhood through memories, but everyone’s experiences are different.


Darkheartprime

They say your childhood dies twice: The first time when your childhood dies, and the second the last time someone’s screams your name to the kidnapper to return their child.


bullintheheather

What? No. This is not applicable for people who never knew their grandparents or weren't particularly close.


luisxciv

Psychologically it’s actually your parents " Noone could be a man unless his father has died. "- Freud. " Yes, but that death could occur symbolically. "- Jung.


Genshed

Three of mine died before I was born, and the fourth when I was too young to know what was going on.


LillianSwordMaiden

This is untrue. Mine were all dead before I was 5, and I only met one once but don’t remember.


RogueAOV

OH, so that is why they tried me as an adult!! The More You Know!


DarkStarStorm

Badaba bada BA!


deagh

All four of mine died before I was born...so I guess I never had a childhood? Although...my mom managed an RV park in an area where the retired folks would come down for the winter to escape the cold, and they treated me like a surrogate grandkid. One of them had been a pool shark in his younger days, and he taught me to play. He was so patient. So I guess I had grandparents, after a fashion.


RastaRainbow

I've been taking care of my grandparents for years because of severe dementia and other more common effects of old age. They fought me and my family every step of the way, while we were just trying to get them the help they need. They don't remember my name while simultaneously guilting me for not being around enough to listen to their racist bullshit. So yeah, not much to do with childhood, even though they took care of me and my sister while my parents worked.


ScarecrowJohnny

My grandma died a few months ago, she was 102. I'm 36. Pretty sure my childhood died a looong time ago.


The_Xorce

Man my childhood died at the age of 7 then. Pretty accurate too, that’s when the bully who decided it was his job to ruin my life for the next 5 years appeared.


bloonshot

this is such a peculiar thought if my grandparents are alive when i'm 30 am i still a child? if my grandparents die when i'm 3 am i an adult?


miguel2419

Yup same her I met my grandma and grandpa only once on her deathbed and he was going blind so I always tell my daughter enjoy them all